As 2009 slowly rolled to a close, I once again found myself weighing up the options for my NYE celebrations. After trying a bit of everything the last few years (Pubs/Clubs/House Parties/Perth Cup), I found the Perth New Years scene a bit repetitive. It was time for something different, but what?

Once again, the guys at Limelite have answered my prayers, putting together a unique New Years Day experience, situated on the luscious banks of the Swan River, overlooking the city. That’s right, Club Paradiso had returned for its second annual New Years event!

As soon as we entered through the gates, it was time to take a walk and see some of the plethora of local talent on display for the day! Darren Briais set the scene early on with a nice set to welcome punters through the doors. Although not a huge crowd up and dancing, his set was definitely appreciated by many of the still-seedy crowd mingling on the grass near the stage. Following Darren Briais came local favourites Maxwell vs. Mel B and they put on a great set. Song choices were excellent and it showed in the crowd. The crowd were starting to move and it definitely set the scene for the rest of the evening. Definitely the highlight of the local talent for me!

Zelimir came next, and he struggled to maintain the audience that Mel B and Maxwell had created. Playing a pretty minimal set seemed to lose many of the punters from the dance floor, including myself. Instead I headed to check out Jus Haus inside at the club stage. He did his thing, which as usual drew the ladies to the front of the dance floor for his commercial breed of house/electro beats. His set drew to a close all too quickly and it was time to head back to the main stage for the two headline acts.

Sebastian Ingrosso hit the stage and immediately the crowd in front of the mainstage swelled in anticipation. Opening with his own remix of Im in Miami Bitch (aptly titled Im Ingrosso Bitch), his set went from strength to strength throughout the 2 hours he occupied the stage. The sun setting over the Swan River made a picturesque backdrop to the great tunes produced from the Swedish House Mafia man! The alcohol was also flowing freely on stage, with both Ingrosso and Dirty South knocking back vodka shots for most of the night.

After bidding the crowd farewell with a simple Happy New Year Mother Fuckers! it was time for Dirty South to take the stage!

He definitely didn’t disappoint the crowd who were anticipating a big set, because he certainly delivered. His set was well-paced and the track choices were good and kept the crowd moving for an hour or so, until the crowd erupted as Ingrosso took the stage again to announce that he and Dirty South were going to close out the night by playing back-to-back! The final hour was a trip through some house classics and awesome remixes as both the men were clearly getting quite inebriated on stage and loving the crowds energy!

Local acts Mel B and Zelimir returned to the stage to get their groove on as the night closed out with some huge tracks; the crowd once again going into frenzies as Ingrosso dropped the classic Show Me Love!

Unfortunately, the night was over all too quickly and it was time to find our way home. I have to say that Club Paradiso 2010 was one of the best festival days I have had in a long time. Great DJs playing decent-length sets, great scenery, no bar-lines, no dirty toilets and a well-dressed, well-behaved crowd made for an awesome New Years Day. Ive already marked it down in my diary for next year, because I have definitely found myself a certain New Years tradition!